Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objectives
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Tzukuan, located in the southwestern area of Taiwan, is an HCV hyperendemic area (>30%). This study aimed to assess the changing epidemiological characteristics of HCV infection and to evaluate the long-term outcomes after the implementation of public health strategies for two decades.Design
A population-based retrospective cohort study.Setting
A comprehensive care programme was implemented, namely COMPACT Study, in Tzukuan since 1997.Participants
A total of 10 714 residents participated the screening.Outcome measures
The HCV status, demographic and clinical profiles of the participants were recorded and validated annually from 2000 through 2019.Results
The HCV infection prevalence rates were 21.1% (1076/5099) in 2000-2004, 18.8% (239/1269) in 2005-2009, 14.1% (292/2071) in 2010-2014 and 10.3% (234/2275) in 2015-2019 (p for trend test <0.0001). Among them, 1614 underwent repeated tests during the follow-up period. The annual incidence rates were 0.54% in 2005-2009, 0.4% in 2010-2014 and 0.22% in 2015-2019, respectively (p=0.01). In addition to old age, lower education level was a major risk factor for HCV infection across different periods. HCV infection prevalence rate among those illiterates reached 40.9%, followed by 28.5% in those with elementary school level, and <10% in those with high school or higher levels. The major risk factor has shifted from iatrogenic exposure in 2000-2009 to household transmission after 2010.Conclusions
HCV infection has been decreasing and the epidemiological features are changing in the hyperendemic area by continuing education, prevention and treatment strategies.
SUBMITTER: Tsai PC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7959235 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Tsai Pei-Chien PC Huang Ching-I CI Yeh Ming-Lun ML Huang Chung-Feng CF Hsieh Meng-Hsuan MH Yang Jeng-Fu JF Hsu Po-Yao PY Liang Po-Cheng PC Lin Yi-Hung YH Jang Tyng Yuan TY Hsieh Ming-Yen MY Dai Chia-Yen CY Lin Zu-Yau ZY Chen Shinn-Chern SC Huang Jee-Fu JF Yu Ming-Lung ML Chuang Wan-Long WL Chang Wen-Yu WY
BMJ open 20210315 3
<h4>Objectives</h4>Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Tzukuan, located in the southwestern area of Taiwan, is an HCV hyperendemic area (>30%). This study aimed to assess the changing epidemiological characteristics of HCV infection and to evaluate the long-term outcomes after the implementation of public health strategies for two decades.<h4>Design</h4>A population-based retrospective cohort study.<h4>Setting</h4>A comprehe ...[more]